SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group discussion

inspired by a samuel remark

I can't recall too much about each work of Ian Fleming as a reading experience, (since I came to them all as just a wee lad).

But from memory alone, I'd rank them in descending order in this way. If I were to re-read any of them that is--it'd be in this order:

You Only Live Twice...probably the most sharply-drawn in memory: the surreality of the 'Garden of Death'
Live and Let Die...still recall the excitement of Leiter's grisly encounter with the mako sharks!
Doctor No...I read this in hardcover so I remember it pretty well and everything in it remains pretty well-etched in memory
The Spy Who Loved Me...vividly recall this, as it was narrated from the girl's POV. The mafia villains and her Vespa, all very exotic
Moonraker...for the card game
Diamonds Are Forever...memorable for the American gangsters and the surreal depictions of gangland
From Rvssia With Love...my fave movie, but the novel, eh
On Her Majesty's S3cret S3rvice...I recall only the Rolex and the invisible writing
Thunderball...Bond is sent to a spa to get back into condition? That's what I remember, it was pretty good too
The Man With the Golden Gun
...confusing story, I mainly remember Bond, brainwashed, trying to kill M.
Goldfinger
Casino Royale
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang....vividly remember this story, enjoyed it quite a lot. Features Fleming's own illustrations.
For Your Eyes Only...memorable primarily for the genuine stingray tail used as a man's 'paddle' on his wife' s derriere; these *succinct* stories are quite fun
Thrilling Cities...on my TBR list
The Diamond Smugglers...haven't heard anything good about this

Moonraker and Casino Royale are the two novels that come to mind, but I also enjoyed the shorts Quantum Of Solace; and The Hildebrand Rarity, although neither of these are true Bond books, just extensions.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the most literary novel in the Bond series; for me, Thunderball was the most exciting in terms of concept; I thought the actor Adolfo Celi was the perfect choice to play Largo in the movie. Has anyone ready the anthology For Your Eyes Only? I thought The Hillebrand Rarity was a good Bond short story.

Hallo yes I've read the FYEO short stories.

and, 'Thunderball' the novel --if memory serves --was the only Bond book which emerged from a screenplay after the film had already been conceptualized

Indeed --despite all the financial drama associated with that romp which caused decades of havoc --it's in my top five Bond movies and books

Just can't beat that Riviera locale

Hi; I saw a good documentary on the business side of the James Bond novels several years ago. One of the stories dealt with the publication of Thunderball. It seems Fleming and some other people were either in the Bahamas or Jamaica at a party; had been drinking, etc.; were kicking around story ideas late a night; the concept of Thunderball was born; when Fleming published the book, he was sued by the other party; that's why you see the disclaimer at the front; the other party got rights to a similar story - hence the movie Never Say Never Again.

Yes indeed. It threw the whole series into chaos. You can read all the fine details on any fan-site like commanderbond.net

Hi; I just finished reading an Ian Fleming/James Bond spoof short book. It's called Everyman's James Bond. It came out in 1965. If you can't get hired at MI6, you can act, look and dress like James Bond. It's hilarious; some of the advice is: you should be six feet tall; if you're under 4 foot six or taller than 7 feet, consider taking after a villan like Goldfinger or Dr. No. You should smoke at least 60 cigarettes a day and drink one half bottle of hard liquor a day. (If the bad guys don't get you, the vices will.) You have to keep your weight down; if needed, don't eat anything at all, etc. I'm not sure if anyone else has seen this book.